Methods: a cross-sectional study reviewing records of patients in the Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná. We analised the clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and treatment of patients with HAE.
Results: Forty two patients, male (45%), age mean 27.1±16.9 years. Symptoms started at median age 14 years (range 1 to 58ys.). Thirty seven (86%) had familial history of HAE. They had a median of 2 episodes/mo (range 0.2 to 30) lasting 3±1.7 days/episode. Edema of limbs, face, genital and laryngeal, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting were seen in 73.8%, 52.4%, 23.8%, 17%, 81%, 24% and 38.1%, respectively. Twenty four (57%) had low C4 level, mean serum level of C4=12.7±10.6 mg/dL; 26 (62%) had low levels of C1 esterase inhibitor, 4 (9.5%) had low functional C1 esterase inhibitor and 12 (28.6%) had C1q deficiency and 3 (7.1%) had HAE type III confirmed. Fifteen (28.9%) were treated with Danazol 175±134 mg/day, 15 (28.9%) were using tranexamic acid as needed. No patient had Icatibant access.
Conclusions: HAE is a difficult to control disease. Patients needs to have a facilitated access to newer therapies to control their symptoms and reduce the adverse events of Danazol.